Our suite of assessments can help you measure and develop every level of your organization, from your overall organizational culture right down to individual styles, team dynamics, and leadership strategies.

Organizational Culture Inventory®

Research and development by Robert A. Cooke, Ph.D. and J. Clayton Lafferty, Ph.D.

The Organizational Culture Inventory (OCI®) is the world’s most thoroughly researched and widely used culture assessment for measuring organizational culture. The OCI goes beyond corporate culture, company culture, and workplace culture, as the cultural dimensions it measures apply to all types of organizations.

The product of more than 20 years of research and now using the latest survey technology, the OCI measures the attributes of organizational culture (above and beyond company culture, workplace culture, and corporate culture) most closely related to the behavior and performance of members. It reveals what members collectively believe is expected of them and how those behavioral norms influence their engagement and effectiveness — ultimately providing an unmatched foundation for constructively changing organizational culture.

How it works

Two forms of the OCI are available for culture assessment:

The standard OCI measures the current culture of an organization in terms of shared behavioral norms—that is, the behaviors that members believe are required to “fit in” and meet expectations. Members’ responses are combined and profiled on Human Synergistics Circumplex to show the relative strength of Constructive, Passive/Defensive, and Aggressive/Defensive norms within the organization.

The OCI-Ideal complements the current form of the OCI by identifying the optimal or preferred culture for the organization. It assesses the behaviors that leaders and other members believe should be expected to maximize effectiveness and enable the organization to reach its goals. The result is a picture of the ideal culture based on shared values and beliefs — a benchmark against which the current culture can be compared to identify gaps and targets for change.

Members’ responses to these surveys are aggregated and electronically analyzed to generate a report (or reports) to support your organization’s culture change initiatives. A Human Synergistics consultant or accredited practitioner guides organizational leaders and change team members through the findings and the steps required for successful development and transformation.

The OCI surveys are available online on almost any digital device as well as in hard copy (including self-scoring) format.

The benefits for your organization

Apply the OCI in your organization and you’ll provide members at all levels with an understanding of how they’re currently expected to approach their work and interact with one another—and how the existing norms either support or interfere with problem solving and task performance. You’ll also empower them to create a vision of the ideal culture in terms of the behaviors that would enable them and the organization to execute strategic initiatives, achieve goals, and attain the mission. The OCI provides leaders and members with the data they need and a language for conversations about where they are now, where they want to be, and how they’re going to get there.

evaluating the impact of change efforts — using the culture survey again and again to measure progress and identify what’s working and what’s not

Make the OCI part of your drive for change

The OCI is used and facilitated exclusively by people who have been prepared and accredited in its administration and interpretation. We offer two options:

A qualified and experienced Human Synergistics consultant can help you to use the OCI and implement the cultural changes you seek. Simply contact us to get connected with a consultant who’s right for the organization.

The entire change process can be led internally in your organization by arranging OCI accreditation for one or more change team members. This will ensure they have the skills to administer the OCI and identify appropriate levers to achieve long-term culture change. To get started, register for an accreditation workshop.

A Human Synergistics consultant or your accredited team member(s) can also engage your organization and its members in defining and implementing a customized 90-day blueprint for success using our Culture Quick-Start Program. This program includes a thorough assessment of organizational culture and climate to support a facilitated planning session with a leadership team and/or change team.

If you would like to know more about the Organizational Culture Inventory, or any of our wide range of assessments, please get in touch and we will be happy to assist you.